# US 9,438,813 B2 · Lighting system and method for image and object enhancement

> Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt

- Number: US 9,438,813 B2
- Document ID: US9438813B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 14/381,755
- Filed: 2013-03-07
- Published: 2015-02-05
- Granted: 2016-09-06
- Earliest claimed: 2012-03-13
- Assignees: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
- Applicants: Dolby Laboratories Licensing Corporation
- Inventors: John Gilbert
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9438813B2

## CPC

- H04N 23/74: by influencing the scene brightness using illuminating means
- H04N 9/3176: {wherein the projection device is incorporated in a camera (details of cameras adapted for combination with a projector not peculiar to the presence of an electronic spatial light modulator G03B17/54)}
- H04N 9/3182: {Colour adjustment, e.g. white balance, shading or gamut (white balance per se H04N9/73; control of amplitude of colour signals H04N9/68; colour control circuits for displays in general G09G5/02, G09G3/2003, G09G3/3607)}
- H04N 9/3194: {including sensor feedback}
- H04N 23/56: provided with illuminating means
- H04N 23/71: Circuitry for evaluating the brightness variation
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A novel lighting system includes an image capture device, an image processor, and an image projector. In a particular embodiment, the image capture device captures and converts images of a subject into image data, the image processor generates illumination patterns based on the image data, and the image projector projects the illumination patterns onto the subject. Optionally, the lighting system includes a controlled feedback mechanism for periodically updating the illumination pattern. In a more particular embodiment, the lighting system continually updates the illumination pattern to illuminate the subject in real-time.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A lighting system comprising:
an image capture device operative to capture an image of a subject as image data;
an image processor coupled to receive said image data from said image capture device, said image processor being operative to generate an illumination pattern based at least in part on said image data;
an image projector coupled to receive said illumination pattern and operative to project said illumination pattern on said subject; and
a subject illumination system operative to illuminate said subject while said image capture device captures one or more images of said subject; and
wherein said image data is indicative of at least a first image of said subject and a second image of said subject, said subject being illuminated by said subject illumination system at a first intensity during the capture of said first image, said subject being illuminated by said subject illumination system at a second intensity during the capture of said second image, and said first intensity being different than said second intensity.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said image capture device is adapted to capture image data indicative of an image formed by electromagnetic radiation that is outside the visible spectrum.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A lighting system according to claim 2, wherein said image processor is operative to convert at least some of said image data indicative of an invisible image formed by electromagnetic radiation that is outside the visible spectrum into converted image data indicative of a visible image formed by electromagnetic radiation within the visible spectrum.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

A lighting system according to claim 3, wherein said image processor is operative to generate said illumination pattern based at least in part on said converted image data such that said illumination pattern renders an invisible feature of said subject visible when said illumination pattern is projected on said subject.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said image capture device is a camera system of a mobile host device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

A lighting system according to claim 5, wherein said image projector is a removable accessory adapted to cooperate with said mobile host device.

### Claim 7 (depends on 5)

A lighting system according to claim 5, wherein said image capture device, said image projector, and said image processor are integral parts of said mobile host device.

### Claim 8 (depends on 5)

A lighting system according to claim 5, wherein said mobile host device is a cellular phone.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said image capture device and said image projector are optically aligned.

### Claim 10 (depends on 9)

A lighting system according to claim 9, further including a beam splitter disposed to direct an image of said subject to said image capture device and to direct said illumination pattern onto said subject.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said projection pattern is a high dynamic range image of said subject.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein:
said lighting system is embodied in a self-contained device; and
said subject illumination system is an integral part of said device.

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, further comprising an auxiliary lighting system interface.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

A lighting system according to claim 1, wherein said subject illumination system includes:
a first light source operative to generate light at one of said first intensity and said second intensity; and
a second light source operative to generate light at the other of said first intensity and said second intensity.

### Claim 15

A method for illuminating a subject, said method comprising:
controllably illuminating a subject with a subject illumination system while images of said subject are captured;
illuminating said subject at a first intensity with said subject illumination system while a first image of said subject is captured;
capturing a second image of said subject while said subject is illuminated with said subject illumination system at a second intensity, said second intensity being different than said first intensity;
converting said first image of said subject and said second image of said subject into image data;
processing said image data to generate an illumination pattern; and
projecting said illumination pattern with a projection system onto said subject.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

A method according to claim 15, wherein said first image of said subject is formed by electromagnetic radiation outside of the visible spectrum.

### Claim 17 (depends on 16)

A method according to claim 16, wherein said step of processing said image data to generate an illumination pattern includes converting said image data indicative of an image outside the visible spectrum into converted image data indicative of an image within the visible spectrum.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein said illumination pattern renders an invisible feature of said subject visible when said illumination pattern is projected on said subject.

### Claim 19 (depends on 17)

A method according to claim 17, wherein said subject illumination system includes:
a first light source operative to generate light at one of said first intensity and said second intensity; and
a second light source operative to generate light at the other of said first intensity and said second intensity.

### Claim 20 (depends on 15)

A method according to claim 15, wherein said illumination pattern is a high dynamic range image of said subject.
